What do you dislike about Knoxville? (house, neighborhoods, construction)

[new28moon]

I'd like to hear everyone's complaints about Knoxville to help me decide if the area would be right for me.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by new28moon

I'd like to hear everyone's complaints about Knoxville to help me decide if the area would be right for me.

I have only two complaints about Knoxville:

1) Not enough historic in-town neighborhoods with their own commercial areas.

2) Air fares out of the Knoxville airport are too expensive.

Otherwise, I love it here.

[hiknapster]

There are some absolutely gorgeous old homes in the city that have been run into the ground and are in very unsafe parts of the city. I see those beautiful grey old ladies from the highway, looking like they are in the middle of a war zone, and I want to cry.

[sliverbox]

I haven't lived in Knoxville in 10 years, but I would say that my least favorite thing about the city was the sprawl. Lots and lots of Mcmansions, Wal-Marts, Home Depots, and so forth which have just about run all the mom-n-pop businesses out of business. But... there is a revival going on downtown and a lot of new stores there have reopened. There's even a huge general store on Gay Street- called Mast General Store which just opened this year.

But overall, a generally pleasant area.

[jabogitlu]

I've really had to think about this... what do I dislike about Knoxville??? I'm a natural-born driver/racer so the sprawl really doesn't bother me, as I can drive along I-40 at 5:30, weaving as I please... And there's still plenty of nature around to suit...

Maybe I'm a bit shallow, but the only thing I really don't like is the constant road construction! Ah well, goes with the territory, but.. still, grr.

[mbmouse]

I have to agree about the traffic. Granted I am not in Knoxville very often and I do know several "go arounds" to avoid some of the traffic, but I find myself tensing up behind the wheel and getting my offensive driving skills to the fore front of my mind just after the 11W exit heading West. The other complaint is the first time you drive a road downtown, I can never find road signs in visible spots and do a lot of back tracking because I miss my turns.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by mbmouse

I have to agree about the traffic. Granted I am not in Knoxville very often and I do know several "go arounds" to avoid some of the traffic, but I find myself tensing up behind the wheel and getting my offensive driving skills to the fore front of my mind just after the 11W exit heading West. The other complaint is the first time you drive a road downtown, I can never find road signs in visible spots and do a lot of back tracking because I miss my turns.

I agree with you. And it's not just the traffic, but the layout of the city can be maddening. I've tried to find shortcuts between my house and my job, and I still can't figure it out. I even look at maps and STILL get lost--in my own neighborhood! And I'm not an idiot, I promise!

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by JMT

I agree with you. And it's not just the traffic, but the layout of the city can be maddening. I've tried to find shortcuts between my house and my job, and I still can't figure it out. I even look at maps and STILL get lost--in my own neighborhood! And I'm not an idiot, I promise!

Now I don't feel so bad. The first time I attempted to visit downtown Knoxville I kept getting spit back out on the highway. I finally gave up and went home!

[JMT]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Now I don't feel so bad. The first time I attempted to visit downtown Knoxville I kept getting spit back out on the highway. I finally gave up and went home!

That's happened to me on more than one occasion! Now that James White Parkway is closed while they rebuild it, I hope they'll correct some of those ridiculous streets that keep spitting you out onto the freeway.

It'll be interesting to see what will happen to traffic in downtown Knoxville when I-40 is closed later this year and re-routed around town via I-640.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by JMT

That's happened to me on more than one occasion! Now that James White Parkway is closed while they rebuild it, I hope they'll correct some of those ridiculous streets that keep spitting you out onto the freeway.

It'll be interesting to see what will happen to traffic in downtown Knoxville when I-40 is closed later this year and re-routed around town via I-640.

They are doing that????????????

Terrific. I travel I-640 almost everyday.